Amended tobacco control ordinance approved

The Council of Advisers on Wednesday approved the proposed Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 at its meeting, aiming to effectively control the use of tobacco products and smoking in the country.

The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division has been instructed to take immediate steps for the promulgation of the ordinance, said an official handout, reports BSS.

According to the approved ordinance, several significant provisions have been included.

The use, production and marketing of emerging tobacco products-such as e-cigarettes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Heated Tobacco Products (HTP), and similar items-have been proposed to be banned.

The definition of "tobacco products" has been expanded to include nicotine pouches.

The ordinance prohibits not only smoking but also the use of all forms of tobacco products in public places and public transport. At the same time, the provision for keeping Designated Smoking Areas (DSA) has been made subject to government directives.